{"id":1245,"date":"2023-09-04T10:51:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T15:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/?p=1245"},"modified":"2023-09-05T07:52:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T12:52:35","slug":"where-to-see-fall-colors-in-and-around-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/where-to-see-fall-colors-in-and-around-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to see fall colors in and around Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago\u2019s many\u00a0parks, gardens, and natural areas<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0are gorgeous year-round \u2014 but they\u2019re particularly stunning in the fall. That\u2019s when you can see stunning red, orange, and gold foliage that turns the city into a picture-perfect autumn scene. Whether you\u2019re strolling a lakefront park or a charming neighborhood, you\u2019ll find fall colors in every corner of the city.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the best spots to see fall colors in and near Chicago:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Lincoln Park<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

Nestled along the Lake Michigan shoreline, scenic\u00a0Lincoln Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a local go-to for fall foliage. Stroll along the Nature Boardwalk at the south of\u00a0Lincoln Park Zoo<\/a><\/strong>, an urban oasis framed with skyline views. Or walk through the manicured gardens outside the\u00a0Lincoln Park Conservatory<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>before heading to the secluded\u00a0Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool<\/a><\/strong>. And the North Pond area, near Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, stays lush all autumn long.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Millenium Park<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

See fall splendor right in the heart of downtown. Chicago\u2019s\u00a0Millennium Park<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is bursting with color each fall, from the leaves changing color near Cloud Gate (aka \u201cThe Bean\u201d) to the hidden Lurie Garden teeming with native plant life.<\/p>\n

Just south of Millennium Park, the\u00a0Art Institute of Chicago<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is framed by two charming courtyards. The North Garden and the South Garden, located along Michigan Avenue, both feature sculptures, fountains, solitude, and breathtaking fall colors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
www.AdamAlexanderPhoto.com \u00a9Adam Alexander Photography 2019<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Lakefront Trail<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

Chicago\u2019s\u00a0Lakefront Trail<\/a><\/strong>, which runs 18 miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline, is a scenic stretch that connects some of the city\u2019s most popular green spaces. In autumn, it\u2019s a great way to see much of Chicago\u2019s best foliage. Walk or bike to explore different neighborhoods and see the changing leaves.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Humboldt Park<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

Located in the vibrant\u00a0Humboldt Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0neighborhood, this sprawling park contains scenic lagoons connected by a prairie river, a manicured garden, ball fields, soccer fields, and a stunning boat house. Meander the winding paths or bring a blanket and have a picnic in the grass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
www.AdamAlexanderPhoto.com \u00a9Adam Alexander Photography 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
www.AdamAlexanderPhoto.com \u00a9Adam Alexander Photography 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Columbus Park<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n

This historic park in the Austin neighborhood, one of the nation\u2019s only green spaces to be designated a National Historic Landmark, is a magical place in the fall. The foliage around the lagoon and waterfall in\u00a0Columbus Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0turns a vibrant array of colors, especially picturesque with the landmark Columbus Refectory in the background.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Garfield Park Conservatory<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

The\u00a0Garfield Park Conservatory<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is known for its striking greenhouse (dubbed \u201clandscape art under glass\u201d), but the surrounding grounds are just as gorgeous. The 10 acres of outdoor gardens include beautiful themed areas, including the City Garden, Artist\u2019s Garden, Sensory Garden, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

Washington Park<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n

This historic park, home to the Dusable Black History Museum and Education Center, is filled with golden hues and vibrant leaves each autumn. Take a walk around the lagoon, admire the Harvest Garden, and snap a photo of the renowned Fountain of Time sculpture by Lorado Taft. The park connects directly to the Midway Plaisance, a scenic route to take between\u00a0Washington Park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and nearby Jackson Park.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Chicago Botanic Garden<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

The\u00a0Chicago Botanic Garden<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is gorgeous in every season \u2014 but fall is one of the most popular times to visit. That\u2019s when you can see\u00a0Chicago Botanic\u2019s 27 gardens, four natural areas, nine islands, and six miles of lake shoreline bursting with autumn splendor. Plus, a fun roster of fall events (like the popular\u00a0Night of 1,000 Pumpkins<\/a><\/strong>) are all the more reason to take the trip out to suburban Glencoe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

Morton Arboretum<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

Can\u2019t get enough of all those autumn leaves? Get your fall fix at\u00a0Morton Arboretum<\/a><\/strong>, a sprawling living museum that\u2019s home to more than 4,000 different types of trees. The Arboretum also offer tons of\u00a0cool fall events<\/a><\/strong>, like the Scarecrow Trail, Cider and Ale Festival, and the Glass Pumpkin Patch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

The 606<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

An unexpected spot for some excellent leaf-peeping,\u00a0The 606<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is the perfect way to enjoy Chicago\u2019s fall foliage. Not only is the trail itself beautifully landscaped, but the elevated path also offers the perfect vantage point to admire neighborhood parks and boulevards from above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

North Park Village Nature Center<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n

Explore both woodland, wetland, prairie, and more at the\u00a0North Park Village Nature Center<\/a><\/strong>. This sprawling natural oasis in the heart of the North Park neighborhood is an under-the-radar gem, especially around autumn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"
www.AdamAlexanderPhoto.com \u00a9Adam Alexander Photography 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chicago\u2019s many\u00a0parks, gardens, and natural areas\u00a0are gorgeous year-round \u2014 but they\u2019re particularly stunning in the fall. That\u2019s when you can see stunning red, orange, and gold foliage that turns the city into a picture-perfect autumn scene. Whether you\u2019re strolling a lakefront park or a charming neighborhood, you\u2019ll find fall colors in every corner of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1246,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1245"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1247,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245\/revisions\/1247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/repbradstephens.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}